Where do "outlets" get their merchandise from?

[eliza61]

So when "outlets" first came out, I thought they were more of atrue outlets where manufacturers often sent their "out of season" or "irregular" merchandise to sell. but back in the day there were only 1 or 2. I remember people some times had bus trips to the outlets such as Reading PA.

Now though it seems like a new "outlet mall" spring up daily. I know here in South Jersey, I am a few hours drive from 4 outlet centers.

Does anyone know how the stores supply their merchandise. I was told that some stores make a "direct to outlet" line but then I was told that's not true.

TIA.

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

You were told correct the first time. Most outlets today sale a direct to outlet line. You will notice that those are displayed up near the front of the store. Towards the back is where the "true" outlet items are usually placed. This would be the irregulars, out of seasons and such.

There is a "true outlet "Crazy T-Shirt store in Waikiki where I can get 75% off of irregulars (which I never buy) and last season stuff. If it is cute I get it last season or not.

 

[daughtersrus]

Y

There is a "true outlet "Crazy T-Shirt store in Waikiki where I can get 75% off of irregulars (which I never buy) and last season stuff. If it is cute I get it last season or not.

Really? When we were there my DD's were looking for hoodies (of course it was July) and only found 2 at the International Market Place. We looked for t-shirt type stores and the only thing that we could find were the ABC Stores every few yards.

To the OP, many of the stores are not outlets at all. The two malls that I'm familiar with (one in the WI Dells and the other in a Chicago suburb) have Old Navy stores. They are regular stores with the same prices. Even their clearance sections aren't as big as some of the stores not located in outlets.

I'm dating myself but many years ago there were Spiegel and JCPenney outlet stores. These were true outlets with merchandise that didn't sell from their catalogs.

 

[Princess Dolly]

So when "outlets" first came out, I thought they were more of atrue outlets where manufacturers often sent their "out of season" or "irregular" merchandise to sell. but back in the day there were only 1 or 2. I remember people some times had bus trips to the outlets such as Reading PA.

Now though it seems like a new "outlet mall" spring up daily. I know here in South Jersey, I am a few hours drive from 4 outlet centers.

Does anyone know how the stores supply their merchandise. I was told that some stores make a "direct to outlet" line but then I was told that's not true.

TIA.

That's not what you said on the Budget board. You know how it works. Some outlets have merchandise made only for the outelt. Some outlets have a mixture of items made for the outlet and clearance regular store items. Some outlets are purely clearance items from the regular store.

 

[eliza61]

That's not what you said on the Budget board. You know how it works. Some outlets have merchandise made only for the outelt. Some outlets have a mixture of items made for the outlet and clearance regular store items. Some outlets are purely clearance items from the regular store.

That's why I posted the question, I was told that what I posted was not true. Hence the last line

 

[kirstenb1]

It depends on the store. I noticed Talbots seems to have clothes that are made just for the outlet. I went to North Face in Orlando a few weeks ago, and they were the "old school" outlet---winter coats in June in all the colors that didn't sell this past winter!!!

CCO---their merch is Clinique, MAC, Estee Lauder. I noticed the same products as the department stores. I didn't see anything made just for the outlet store.

On the Budget Board, I know we were talking about Coach. Our closest outlet has mostly made for outlet merch, but they occasionally get in something like the Madison Python last year, so you never know.

 

[Princess Dolly]

That's why I posted the question, I was told that what I posted was not true. Hence the last line

That is not at all what you were told.

 

[willowsnn3]

I'm dating myself but many years ago there were Spiegel and JCPenney outlet stores. These were true outlets with merchandise that didn't sell from their catalogs.

There is a big JCPenney outlet here on I75 just south of Atlanta. It was adjacent to one of their distribution centers & carries a lot of 'out of season' apparel & 'seconds' and also some catalog returns. I have bought a lot of great stuff there. Sometimes I have seen the same merchandise at the JCP in the mall at a much higher price. The distribution center closed a few years ago & so have a lot of the JCP stores here but the outlet is still going strong. Would be worth a stop if you are driving down I75 to Orlando..

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

It depends on the store. I noticed Talbots seems to have clothes that are made just for the outlet. I went to North Face in Orlando a few weeks ago, and they were the "old school" outlet---winter coats in June in all the colors that didn't sell this past winter!!!

CCO---their merch is Clinique, MAC, Estee Lauder. I noticed the same products as the department stores. I didn't see anything made just for the outlet store.

On the Budget Board, I know we were talking about Coach. Our closest outlet has mostly made for outlet merch, but they occasionally get in something like the Madison Python last year, so you never know.

Please tell me where the North Face outlet is located in Orlando. Also, what does CCO stand for? Thanks